Malcolm Smith's
Allotment Cultivation Notes
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Cabbages generally are tolerant of any soil, however, spring cabbage prefers the soil to be
light. Deep cultivation is required and lime can be added if the soil is too acid.
It is often preferable to sow the cabbages into pots as slug and snail attack can be
controlled better. It also lessens the chance of the seedlings having to compete with weeds.
Plant out about 12" apart if the plants are well established, but closer if they are still small,
then thin later. If sowing directly into the ground, form a drill ½" deep then run in the seeds
sparingly, cover, firm down and water.
Keep weeds down by hand and hoe, however, keep the ground firm. A good mulch of stable
manure will be beneficial.
Start cropping as soon as the first plants become ready.
Slugs and snails are the first problem for the young plants. Pidgeons can also
be a nuicance and netting may be advisable until the plant is established. The risk from
cabbage fly can be reduced by placing collars around the young plant. Caterpillars
are likely to be a prime pest but rubbing off the butterfly eggs can save hours later picking
off the culprits. Whitefly is not uncommon but I tend to leave this untreated. Perhaps
the biggest worry is clubroot which prevents the plant from developing and the affected
root must be destroyed.
Preparation
Planting
Cultivation
Harvesting
Problems
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